PORT ELIZABETH, Jan 22: Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said on Monday that fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed was on his way to South Africa as a replacement for injured pacers Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul.

Inzamam said Shabbir, whose one-year ICC ban ended last month, would arrive in South Africa on Thursday, the day before the start of the final Test in Cape Town. “Shabbir is coming but I don't know his condition,” he admitted.

He also said a final decision would only be taken Monday night about Shoaib and fellow injured bowler Umar Gul returning home. “We'll decide tonight. The doctor's report is coming and then we will decide.” But he indicated that the tour was probably over for both players with the decisive third Test and five One-day Internationals still to be played.

“We are not taking any chances because after the South African one-day series it is a short time to the World Cup,” he said.—AFP